Finding the Balance

If you're anything like me, you find yourself taking on more and more responsibilities each day. It's not enough for you to be the primary parent at home. You're the one who prepares and takes the children to school. You've gotten up early to fix breakfast and pack school lunches. Now you're rushing off to work. After a long work day, you're the one who picks the children up from school and takes them to their extracurricular activities.  What about dinner? You're the one who prepares the family dinner and helps the children with their homework. You can't help but to say "Yes" to your family.

What about things outside the home? When someone needs something done at work, your supervisor comes straight to you. You wonder why he didn't ask your co-worker who has been there just as long as you have. Your neighbor tells you that she's planning a baby shower for her daughter-n-law and says she's needs you help planning to shower. You get…

With three active daughters, our days seem to never end. One is dabbling in synchronized swimming, one is a runner who trains with gymnastics on the off-season, and one is a gymnast. Two sing in the church choir while the other greets and seats members of the congregation. One is also praise dances with a ministry at church. All of them are school age, one in middle school and two in upper elementary school.  Needless to say, there is an activity 7 days per week. Believe it or not, we've even cut back on a few activities, such as soccer and girl scouts...at least for now.

When one of the girls was selected to participate on the competitive gymnastics team, my husband and I went into a mini panic. Training sessions are three days per week for four hours per day. The biggest issue was getting her there since her training sessions begin during our work day. Did I mention that my husband and I both work full time and usually work more than 40 hours per week? We knew how badly she wan…

I woke up this morning full of excitement! The thought of moving into a new year of my life was very refreshing. It feels like a new beginning. It's an opportunity for me to leave the mistakes and heartaches of the past behind me. I can create my smiles of tomorrow. I realized this morning that I am in control of my destiny. God loves me and has never taken his hand off of me. As long as I submit to Him, my future will remain bright.

I hate to admit it but I was a bit anxious as well. My husband told me that today was my day to do whatever I wanted. Sadly enough, I couldn't think of anything that I wanted to do today. I am so used to finding excitement in the things I do with and for others that I have lost some of my own independence. I vow to regain control of me and to find those things this year.

As I begin this new year of life, I thank you for taking this journey with me. Together, we will find the balance we need to remain centered in all things.